Packaging provided with a sealed opening and closing device

Abstract

The invention relates to the field of packaging for a consumable product, the packaging being provided with a wall ( 15 ) provided with an orifice ( 13 ). The packaging is fitted with an opening and closing device ( 1 ) comprising a single-piece body ( 2 ) of molded material fastened on the wall ( 15 ), the body ( 2 ) comprising a plate ( 20 ) with a first hole ( 30 ) placed facing the orifice ( 13 ) and fastened to the edge ( 19 ) of the orifice ( 13 ) in the wall ( 15 ) in sealed manner, and a hatch ( 40 ) hinged to the plate ( 20 ), the hatch opening towards the inside of the packaging and being suitable for covering the first hole ( 30 ) in a closed position, the device ( 1 ) further including an arm ( 50 ) connected to the hatch ( 40 ), the arm ( 50 ) co-operating with position blocking means for holding the hatch ( 40 ) in a closed position, and for releasing the hatch ( 40 ) to pivot towards the inside of the packaging when it is disengaged from the blocking means, the device ( 1 ) further including a cap ( 80 ) that is distinct from the body ( 2 ) and from the arm ( 50 ), and that is provided with a safety capsule ( 100, 104 ) that is to be broken on first opening of the hatch ( 40 ) such that if the safety capsule is intact, it is guaranteed that the packaging has not been opened previously, the capsule forming a portion of the blocking means. The hatch ( 40 ) is provided with a second hole ( 70 ) providing communication between the inside and the outside of the packaging, and the arm ( 50 ) is provided with a gasket ( 57 ) that shuts the second hole ( 70 ) in sealed manner when the arm ( 50 ) co-operates with the blocking means, such that in the closed position, the device ( 1 ) closes the packaging in sealed manner, the gasket ( 57 ) releasing the second hole ( 70 ) when the arm ( 50 ) is disengaged from the blocking means and the pivot angle β of the arm relative to its closed position is greater than a strictly positive threshold angle β 0 .

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. Packaging for a consumable product, the packaging being provided with a wall having an orifice that is fitted with an opening and closing device comprising a single-piece body of molded material fastened on said wall, said body comprising a plate with a first hole placed facing said orifice and fastened to an edge of said orifice in the wall in sealed manner, and a hatch hinged to said plate, the hatch opening towards the inside of the packaging and being suitable for covering the first hole in a closed position, said device further including an arm connected to said hatch, said arm co-operating with position-blocking means for holding said hatch in a closed position, and for releasing said hatch to pivot towards the inside of said packaging when it is disengaged from said blocking means, said device further including a cap that is distinct from said body and from said arm, and that is provided with a safety capsule that is to be broken on first opening of said hatch such that if said safety capsule is intact, it is guaranteed that the packaging has not been opened previously, said capsule forming a portion of said blocking means, wherein said hatch is provided with a second hole providing communication between the inside and the outside of said packaging, and in that said arm is provided with a gasket that shuts said second hole in sealed manner when said arm co-operates with said blocking means, such that in the closed position, said device closes said packaging in sealed manner, said gasket releasing said second hole when said arm is disengaged from said blocking means and the pivot angle (β) of said arm relative to its closed position is greater than a strictly positive threshold angle (β 0 ). 
     
     
       2. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate is fastened to the edge of said orifice of the wall by snap-fastening. 
     
     
       3. Packaging according to  claim 2 , wherein said plate includes first tabs or a snap-fastener collar that snap-fastens onto the edge of said orifice in the wall. 
     
     
       4. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said plate bears essentially against the inside face of said wall. 
     
     
       5. Packaging according to  claim 4 , wherein said plate includes a first gasket around said first hole at the interface with said hatch. 
     
     
       6. Packaging according to  claim 4 , wherein said plate includes a second gasket against which said inside face comes to bear in such a manner that a sealed junction between said wall and said plate is formed. 
     
     
       7. Packaging according to  claim 6 , wherein said second gasket is a ring-shaped gasket having two outer lips suitable for acting as a suction cup against said inside face and located on either side of an inner lip. 
     
     
       8. Packaging according to  claim 4 , wherein said cap includes means for securing it with said plate, said cap, when secured with said plate, being situated at the outside of said packaging such that a region of said wall is sandwiched between said cap and said plate. 
     
     
       9. Packaging according to  claim 8 , wherein the securing means are tabs that extend from said cap and that are suitable for snap-fastening with second tabs of the plate by means of teeth situated at the ends of said tabs and of said second tabs. 
     
     
       10. Packaging according to  claim 3 , wherein the securing means are tabs that extend from said cap and that are suitable for snap-fastening with said snap-fastener collar by means of ribs situated at the ends of said tabs and by means of a second bead situated at the end of said snap-fastener collar, said snap-fastener collar also including first beads for snap-fastening with said wall. 
     
     
       11. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said means for blocking said arm in a position in which said hatch is in its closed position include means secured to said cap. 
     
     
       12. Packaging according to  claim 11 , wherein said blocking means further comprise catches secured to said cap and enabling said arm and said hatch to be pushed back into the closed position. 
     
     
       13. Packaging according to  claim 11 , wherein said blocking means further comprise a mechanism for snap-fastening said arm on said plate. 
     
     
       14. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said cap is U-shaped and comprises a central region, and said arm, when in a closed position, is folded against the wall in the central region of said U-shape. 
     
     
       15. Packaging according to  claim 14 , wherein said safety capsule is made up of a tongue completely covering the U-shaped central region of said cap, together with links connecting said tongue to said cap. 
     
     
       16. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein it includes means for blocking said arm in a position in which said hatch is in an open position. 
     
     
       17. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said hatch and said plate are hinged together by a flexible web integrally molded therewith and forming a hinge. 
     
     
       18. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said wall presents at least one portion in relief in the vicinity of said cap. 
     
     
       19. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein the threshold angle (β 0 ) is greater than 25°. 
     
     
       20. Packaging according to  claim 1 , wherein said hatch presents a base that is cup-shaped and comprises a bottom, bulging towards the inside of said packaging, and said second hole is situated in the bottom of said cup-shape.